Enamel remineralization effect of a dentifrice containing calcium sodium phosphosilicate: an optical coherence tomography observation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a dentifrice containing 5% calcium sodium phosphosilicate (CSP) on the remineralization of the enamel using optical coherence tomography (OCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bovine incisors were sliced and shaped in a rectangular form. One group of five specimens was treated with undersaturated 0.1 M lactic acid buffer solution (pH 4.75) for 10 min and then placed in artificial saliva (pH 7.0) (De group). Other specimens were stored in solutions of toothpaste containing CSP for 10 min, followed by 10-min immersion in the lactic acid buffer solution twice a day before storage in artificial saliva (CSP group). An additional group was stored in only artificial saliva (control group). OCT imaging on the selected location of the enamel surface was performed. The peak intensity and width at 1/e2 were recorded in each of the six areas on the sample and averaged, and the sample size of each group was six. The integrated value in units (dB × µm) was calculated in the area of peak intensity. The data for each group was subjected to one-way repeated-measures ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The changes in integrated values of each group were different. A slight but significant increase in the integrated value was observed in the control group, whereas a slight but significant decrease in the value was observed the De group. Integrated values increased in the CSP group. CONCLUSIONS: Remineralization occurred upon immersion in the toothpaste containing CSP.

Influence of different curing modes on flexural properties, fracture toughness, and wear behavior of dual-cure provisional resin-based composites.

We investigated the influence of different curing modes on the mechanical properties and wear behavior of dual-cure provisional resin-based composites (DCPRs). Three DCPRs and a self-curing bis-acryl provisional resin-based composite were used. Flexural strength (σF), elastic modulus (E), resilience (R), and fracture toughness (KIC) were measured. The specimens were fabricated with and without light irradiation, stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 h, and subjected to 5,000 or 10,000 thermal cycles. For sliding impact wear testing, 12 specimens were prepared with and without light irradiation. The maximum facet depth and volume loss were determined using a noncontact profilometer. Some of the mechanical properties and wear behavior of DCPRs are affected by light irradiation. This study indicated that proper light irradiation is important in polymerization process of the DCPRs to enhance the wear resistance and some mechanical properties.

Influence of air-powder polishing on bond strength and surface-free energy of universal adhesive systems.

The influences of air-powder polishing with glycine or sodium bicarbonate powders on shear bond strengths (SBS) and surface-free energies of universal adhesives were examined. Scotchbond Universal Adhesive (SU, 3M ESPE), G-Premio Bond (GP, GC), Adhese Universal (AU, Ivoclar Vivadent), and All-Bond Universal (AB, Bisco) were used in this study. Bovine dentin surfaces were air polished with glycine or sodium bicarbonate powders prior to the bonding procedure, and resin pastes were bonded to the dentin surface using universal adhesives. SBSs were determined after 24-h storage in distilled water at 37°C. Surface-free energy was then determined by measuring contact angles using three test liquids on dentin surfaces. Significantly lower SBSs were observed for dentin that was air-powder polished and surface-free energies were concomitantly lowered. This study indicated that air-powder polishing influences SBSs and surface-free energies. However, glycine powder produced smaller changes in these surface parameters than sodium bicarbonate.